1.  One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his society and welfare; a wellwisher; an intimate associate; sometimes, an attendant. [1913 Webster]
"Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend." [1913 Webster]
"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother." [1913 Webster]

2.  One not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy; also, one of the same nation, party, kin, etc., whose friendly feelings may be assumed. The word is some times used as a term of friendly address. [1913 Webster]
"Friend, how camest thou in hither?" [1913 Webster]

3.  One who looks propitiously on a cause, an institution, a project, and the like; a favorer; a promoter; as, a friend to commerce, to poetry, to an institution. [1913 Webster]

4.  One of a religious sect characterized by disuse of outward rites and an ordained ministry, by simplicity of dress and speech, and esp. by opposition to war and a desire to live at peace with all men. They are popularly called Quakers. [1913 Webster]
"America was first visited by Friends in 1656." [1913 Webster]

5.  A paramour of either sex. Shak. [1913 Webster]

   To act as the friend of; to favor; to countenance; to befriend. [1913 Webster]
"Fortune friends the bold." [1913 Webster]

friend, n. & v.
--n.
1 a person with whom one enjoys mutual affection and regard (usu. exclusive of sexual or family bonds).
2 a sympathizer, helper, or patron (no friend to virtue; a friend of order).
3 a person who is not an enemy or who is on the same side (friend or foe?).
4 a a person already mentioned or under discussion (my friend at the next table then left the room). b a person known by sight. c used as a polite or ironic form of address.
5 (usu. in pl.) a regular contributor of money or other assistance to an institution.
6 (Friend) a member of the Society of Friends, a Quaker.
7 (in pl.) one's near relatives, those responsible for one.
8 a helpful thing or quality.
--v.tr. archaic or poet. befriend, help.

Idiom:
be (or keep) friends with be friendly with. friend at court a friend whose influence may be made use of. my honourable friend Brit. used in the House of Commons to refer to another member of one's own party. my learned friend used by a lawyer in court to refer to another lawyer. my noble friend Brit. used in the House of Lords to refer to another member of one's own party.

Derivative:
friended adj. friendless adj.

Etymology:
OE freond f. Gmc

N  accompaniment, adjunct, context, appendage, appurtenance, coexistence, concomitance, company, association, companionship, partnership, copartnership, coefficiency, concomitant, accessory, coefficient, companion, buddy, attendant, fellow, associate, friend, colleague, consort, spouse, mate, partner, co-partner, satellite, hanger on, fellow-traveller, shadow, escort, cortege, attribute, accompanying, concomitant, fellow, twin, joint, associated with, coupled with, accessory, attendant, obbligato, with, withal, together with, along with, in company with, hand in hand, side by side, cheek by jowl, cheek by jole, arm in arm, therewith, herewith, and, together, in a body, collectively, noscitur a sociis, virtutis fortuna comes.

N  auxiliary, recruit, assistant, adjuvant, adjutant, ayudante, coaid, adjunct, help, helper, help mate, helping hand, midwife, colleague, partner, mate, confrere, cooperator, coadjutor, coadjutrix, collaborator, ally, friend, confidant, fidus Achates, pal, buddy, alter ego, confederate, accomplice, complice, accessory, accessory after the fact, particeps criminis, socius criminis, aide-de-camp, secretary, clerk, associate, marshal, right-hand, right-hand man, Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, gopher, gofer, candle- holder, bottle-holder, handmaid, servant, puppet, cat's-paw, jackal, tool, dupe, stooge, ame damnee, satellite, adherent, votary, sectarian, secretary, seconder, backer, upholder, abettor, advocate, partisan, champion, patron, friend at court, mediator, angel (theater, entertainment), friend in need, Jack at a pinch, deus ex machina, guardian angel, tutelary genius.

N  friend, friend of one's bosom, alter ego, best friend, bosom friend, soulmate, fast friend, amicus, usque ad aras, fidus Achates, persona grata, acquaintance, neighbor, next-door neighbor, casual acquaintance, nodding acquaintance, wellwisher, favorer, fautor, patron, Mecaenas, tutelary saint, good genius, advocate, partisan, sympathizer, ally, friend in need, comrade, mate, companion, familiar, confrere, comrade, camarade, confidante, intimate, old crony, crony, chum, pal, buddy, bosom buddy, playfellow, playmate, childhood friend, bedfellow, bedmate, chamber fellow, associate, colleague, compeer, schoolmate, schoolfellow, classfellow, classman, classmate, roommate, fellow-man, stable companion, best man, maid of honor, matron of honor, compatriot, fellow countryman, countryman, shopmate, fellow-worker, shipmate, messmate, fellow companion, boon companion, pot companion, copartner, partner, senior partner, junior partner, Arcades ambo Pylades and Orestes Castor and Pollux, Nisus and Euryalus, Damon and Pythias, par nobile fratrum, host, Amphitryon, Boniface, guest, visitor, prot_eg_e, amici probantur rebus adversis, ohne bruder kann man leben nicht ohne Freund, best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness, conocidos muchos amigos pocos, friend more divine than all divinities, vida sin amigo muerte sin testigo.

N  pity, compassion, commiseration, bowels, of compassion, sympathy, fellow-feeling, tenderness, yearning, forbearance, humanity, mercy, clemency, leniency, charity, ruth, long- suffering, melting mood, argumentum ad misericordiam, quarter, grace, locus paenitentiae, sympathizer, advocate, friend, partisan, patron, wellwisher, pitying, pitiful, compassionate, sympathetic, touched, merciful, clement, ruthful, humane, humanitarian, tender, tender hearted, tender as a chicken, soft, soft hearted, unhardened, lenient, exorable, forbearing, melting, weak, Int, for pity's sake!, mercy!, have mercy!, cry you mercy!, God help you!, poor thing!, poor dear!, poor fellow!, woe betide!, quis talia fando temperet a lachrymiss!, one's heart bleeding for, haud ignara mali miseris succurrere disco, a fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind, onor di bocca assai giova e poco costa.

best friend, friend at court, friend of the court, girl friend, lady friend, next friend